Senator Barker is in New Orleans this week at the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit. Legislators from across the nation are meeting to discuss issues that states are facing, including infrastructure and transportation problems, immigration legislation, environmental concerns, and energy policy. Yesterday’s speakers included former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. Throughout the conference Senator Barker has been attending seminars and engaging in discussions with legislators on both sides of the political aisle about issues pertinent to his district. He hopes that this experience will provide important insights into how other states are handling the problems that the 39th District is facing and help him to promote better policy here in Virginia.